Maltese just love a freebie and 3,000 loaves of salt-free bread provided by the Health Promotion Department were wiped out in 20 minutes.

The department’s stunt, in Republic Street, Valletta yesterday morning, was part of a campaign to encourage people to consume less salt.

“We are encouraging people to make wise choices and urging industry to help people break the barriers by ensuring their salt-free products are not more expensive than the ordinary ones,” said Charmaine Gauci, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention director.

Salt consumption is detrimental to people’s health and one of its most common consequences is high blood pressure.

A recent survey indicated that 23 per cent of women and 22 per cent of men in Malta had high blood pressure, a condition that tripled the risk of heart attack and stroke, Dr Gauci said.

The department has been working with industry on the reformulation of products. Yesterday’s activity was the result of one of these efforts, with Jesper’s Danish Bakery handing out salt-free white and wholemeal bread.

The authorities recommend that salt intake should not exceed five grams per day, including salt used for cooking and that in processed food.

“There are alternatives to salt and having no salt does not mean no taste,” Dr Gauci added.